Water gauge



April 12, 1932. c. M. COPELIN 1,854,110

WATER GAUGE Original Filed Jan. 14 7 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYApril 12, 1932. c M, COPELIN 1,854,110

WATER GAUGE Original Filed Jan. 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6- M opeliraATTORNEY Patented Apr. 12 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT emu:

CARL M. COPELIN, OF DUNCAN, OKLAHOMA; ROXIE COPELIN ADMINISTRATOR OF THEESTATE OF SAID CARL M. COPELIN, DECEASED WATER seven Application filedJanuary 14, 1927, Serial No. 161,150. Renewed August 17, 1931.

This invention relates to gauges for use upon steam boilers and has foran object the provision of a gauge which will act to relieve r steampressure and to provide means for determining the level of water withinthe boiler.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a gauge whichwillalso function as an automatic pressure relief valve and which inaddition may be manually operated either to relieve pressure ordetermine the water level.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device which inaddition to the J above and other advantages, has certain of its partsmounted for adjustment to provide for wear, as well as to provide fortheir renewal when necessary.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includesthe following novel features and details of construction, to behereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating the invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section, the section being on theline 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the valve member.

Figure 5 is a side elevation partly broken away showing the invention inopen position.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the spring.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the spring adjusting block.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of referencedenote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates aportion of the wall of a container, to which the invention is shown asapplied. The invention may be used in various connections, but isespecially designed as a combined water gauge and pressure relief valvefor steam boilers so that the reference character 10 indicates a portionof a boiler. Removably positioned within an opening provided in theboiler as indicated at 11, is a nipple 12, whose outer end is providedwith a nipple extension 12. This nipple is provided with a passage 13whose inner end opens into the boiler and whose outer end is adapted tobe closed by a valve member 14.

The valve member 14 is carried by a lever 15 and the latter is pivotallymounted upon the nipple 12 as indicated at 16. This valve member is ofcylindrical formation and is adapted to rotate within a circular openingor pocket 17 provided in the lever 15. The Valve member 14 is providedwith a rectangular opening 18 for the reception of the rectangular shank19 of a pin 20. This pin is provided at one end with a finger piece orhead 21, while extending from its opposite end is a reduced threadedportion 22 which receives a nut 23. The valve member 14 is thusremovably held within the pocket 17 and is capable of rotation thereinby rotating the finger piece 21.

The valve member 14 is preferably formed of lead or other soft metal andis adapted to contact the outer end of the nipple extension 12 so as toclose the outer end of the passage 13. A tight closure is thus provided.By rotating the valve member, a fresh surface may be presented to theouter end of the nipple so that the proper closure may be provided. Whenthe parts become worn or useless, the nipple 12 and valve member 14 maybe readily replaced. I

The valve member 14 is yieldingly held in engagement with the nippleextension 12" by means of a spring 24. One end of this spring is notchedas at 25 and this notched end is received within a kerf 26 provided inthe nipple. The opposite end of the spring is also notched as shown at27 and this last referred to end is received within a groove 28 providedin an adjusting block 29. The block 29 is adjustably secured to thelower end of the lever 15 by means of a bolt 30 and the latter isadjustable upon said lever within a slot 31.

Excess pressure within the boiler will move the lever pivotally so as torelieve such pressure and thereby warn the attendant that water withinthe boiler is dangerously low.

By manually operating the lever 15 to open the passage 13, water mayflow from the boiler provided the water is of suflicient height. Theheight of the water may thus be determined. A number of the devices maybe arranged in vertically spaced relation so that they will providemeans for testing the height of the water.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportionsand minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved tomake such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appendedclaim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

In combination with a container, a gauge comprising a nipple having apassage therethrough open at its outer end and its inner end incommunication with the container, a lever normally disposedsubstantially at right-angles to the nipple and having a pocket thereinopen at one side, means spaced laterally from the nipple to pivotallymount the lever, means located within and extending through the openside of the pocket to engage th nipple and close the outer end of thepassage, said lever having a slot therein adjacent its free end, a blockadjustable longitudinally of the lever within the slot and a springhaving one of its ends secured to the nipple and its other end securedto said block to yieldingly hold the lever in a position whereby thenipple is maintained closed.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CARL M. COPELIN.

